SC seeks report on flour availability, subsidy in provinces

ISLAMABAD-Supreme Court sought a report from all the four provinces regarding availability of flour and subsidy on it. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja heard the case regarding price-hike in flour filed by senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch. Justice Jawad S Khawaja remarked that Pakistan is self-sufficient in food and yet people are dying of hunger, adding that people can’t feed on formation of authorities and committees. The case was heard by the three-member bench presided over by Justice Jawad S. Khawaja. Director Food Security Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Anwar told the court that fifty one lakh people are living below the poverty line. He told that the provincial government is introducing voucher system to ensure supply of consumer items on budget prices. Secretary Food Punjab Muhammad Aslam told the court that the 20 million people living below the poverty line in Punjab. Justice Khawaja said that forming laws, authorities and committees doesn’t feed the poor adding that article 9 and 14 will be changed if there are no resources. He further said Pakistan is self-sufficient in food and yet people are dying of hunger. During proceeding, all food secretaries of four provinces and of federation apprised the court regarding initiatives taken by their respective provincial governments. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till today (Tuesday).